Former squaddie suing the MoD after losing his leg in a horrific ‘tug of war’ accident in Afghanistan

A FORMER squaddie is suing the MoD after losing his leg in a freak “tug-of-war” accident in Afghanistan.

Mark Western was crushed as he and 19 pals pulled an armoured Husky vehicle for a charity challenge at their Helmand outpost.

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Mark - pictured with his sons - was crushed as he and 19 pals pulled an armoured Husky vehicle for a charity challenge

Tragedy struck when the 13.6 tonne beast gained momentum - clipped his heel - and dragged the soldier under its wheels.

Mark, 30, of Stockport, has now instructed specialist military injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell to secure a financial package that will cover his long term needs.

He said: “I just went down in front of the vehicle and it went over me.

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The 13.6 tonne beast gained momentum, clipped his heel and dragged the soldier under its wheels

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Mark was attached to 21 Engineer Regiment when he was injured in 2012

“The Husky actually caught my foot as I was running, I was that close to it, and it caught my ankle, the rope wasn’t long enough.

“The agony was unbelievable, the initially 30 seconds was an absolute shock, I didn’t know where I was, what I was doing, then 10 minutes later the pain kicked in and I couldn’t breath.

“They put me to sleep after that and I can’t remember anything until I was back in hospital in the UK.”

Mark, a former Kingsman with 1 Lancs, was attached to 21 Engineer Regiment when he was injured in 2012 at remote Forward Operating Base Ouellette during celebrations for St Andrew’s Day.

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His injuries led to the amputation of his leg below the knee

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The married dad is now suing the MoD after sustaining the horror injuries

He suffered multiple fractures to his left foot - ultimately leading to the amputation of his leg below the knee - plus a fractured vertebra, broken pelvis, fractured ribs and a ruptured bladder.

He was also left with permanent back pain.

Unemployed Mark elected to have his leg off below the knee when it failed to heal and left him in constant excruciating pain.

The MoD has admitted that there were problems with the length of ropes used and overcrowding when the accident happened.

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Mark, added: “Medically I have had amazing support, but financially it wasn’t too great, which is why I contacted Irwin Mitchell.”

Mark turned to their specialist military team to secure funds which take into account his lost earnings and pension, as well as the specialist equipment – including prosthetics – he needs.

Paul Weston, an expert military injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Mark and other injured former service personnel, said: “Mark suffered horrific injuries which he is still working hard to overcome and adapt to.

“Mark has struggled with everyday tasks that many of us are able to take for granted, such as simply moving from room to room within his own home.

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Mark believes he is six months away from a final settlement after claiming damages for work place negligence

“With an amputation comes a lifetime of adaptations and adjustments both physically and mentally.

“We have been working with Mark to secure the funding he needs for the rest of his life to help him live as independently as possible and to get the rehabilitation and suitable prosthetics to enable him to do this.”

Mark added: “Some people who are leaving the armed forces because of injuries they have suffered may be entitled to settlements above and beyond the funding they get from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Which makes a huge difference when you have a lifetime as an amputee ahead of you.

“I have had to have my house adapted so I can move around freely in a wheelchair. I have to have a downstairs wet room and wheelchair ramps – those things cost money and I’m still having surgeries to correct this and that with my leg so I might need further equipment down the line.”

Mark believes he is six months away from a final settlement after claiming damages for work place negligence against the MoD.